The Raiders are still cleaning up the mess the franchise became over the last decade or so. Adding smart football minds for the front office is the most obvious way to go about that.

Tabbing Reggie McKenzie to be general manager was a strong hire. He is still in the proces of digging out of the problems he inherited that included the infamously terrible Carson Palmer trade. His old co-worker in Green Bay Mike Holmgren, might be coming to help with that large task.

Bill Williamson and John Clayton of ESPN.com reported that the Raiders have talked to Mike Holmgren about taking a leadership job in the organization.

While it's unclear exactly what position Holmgren would hold or how he and McKenzie would co-exist, it's hard to see that move as anything but a positive one for the Raiders.

McKenzie joined the Packers' front office in 1994, Holmgren's third year as Packers coach. The two were on the staff together until Holmgren left after the 1998 season, so they've worked together before.

Holmgren, who has been to Super Bowls with Green Bay and Seattle, spent the last three seasons as president of the Cleveland Browns before he was forced out after an ownership change. Given his stature, he's not going to have a small role in the Raiders' front office. ESPN.com said part of his role could be working towards getting a new stadium.

Assuming he also works on the personnel side of the Raiders' front office, and assuming he and McKenzie can find a good balance of power, that gives Oakland a couple of good football minds to build the roster. That would be a good step for a franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs since the end of the 2002 season and has to add a lot of talent to get back there.